Her Secret, His Child

"Good for you," Karen sniffed. Crying again.

TARA TAYLOR QUINN

"It would help if I knew what I was up against."

Ten minutes later, Kyle wished he could take back the question. That he could roll back not just the last ten minutes but twenty years. He thought he'd had it rough. Freezing, he pulled down the sleeves of his shirt, buttoning them at the cuff.

He had to find her. To love her. To spend the rest of his life storing up so much happiness for her that somehow it would balance out the hurts.

When he thought of a grown man raising a fist to a child like Ashley he got physically sick. Somehow, someway, he was going to be worthy of the woman who'd mothered his child. Worthy enough to fill the next sixty years of her life with smiles.

Kyle had been on the road about twenty minutes, heading toward a gas station on the edge of town, when he got the idea. He'd been hoping someone at the station might have seen Jamie, would at least be able to give him a direction to take on his trip out of town. But suddenly he felt sure he knew where she'd gone.

To the ski lodge where the three of them had spent spring break. She'd feel close to them there. He and Ashley were the most important part of her life, and he knew Jamie well enough to realize that the only way she'd survive this first night was to go somewhere she could feel their presence.

In spite of the speeding ticket he got on the way, Kyle made record time to the resort. And was rewarded when he stopped at a pay phone and asked to be connected to Ms. Archer's room. He hung up

HER SECRET, HIS CHILD

before Jamie could answer. He'd found out what he needed to know. She was there.

Now he just had to find out which room. Kyle started at the building farthest from the lobby and began knocking on doors. He was gambling that he'd locate her before someone reported him.

She was in the second building he tried, on the first floor, right by the pool. He recognized her voice as soon as she called, "Who is it?"

He also knew she'd been crying.

"Room service," he said, lowering his voice, afraid she might not come out if she knew he was standing there.

"I didn't order any."

And that was all the patience he had. "Jamie, it's Kyle. Please open the door."

The door flew open so fast Kyle almost fell through it. ' 'Did something happen to Ashley?'' she asked, fear making her eyes wild. She was wearing a pair of brown corduroy overalls cinched at the waist, with an off-white turtleneck underneath. And she was barefoot.

"She's fine," he said firmly, putting an arm around her to lead her back to the room. She was on the verge of collapse.

"You're sure?" Her gaze was still uncertain as she stared up at him.

"Positive."

Because he had no clue where to begin, Kyle pulled her into his arms and just held her. He'd stand there, holding her, for as long as she needed him.

When her legs gave out, he picked her up and carried her to the couch at one end of the minisuite.

TARA TAYLOR QUINN

Sitting with her, he stroked her back, her hair, occasionally laying gentle kisses along her brow.

What scared him most wasn't her silence but the fact that she wasn't crying. As if he was too late to save the tender person inside.

He knew his worries weren't unfounded when she started to touch him back. Not gently. But sexually. Like a woman who knew exactly how to get the response she was seeking. He cried out silently for the loving spirit that was Jamie, the spirit that had been so strong but maybe not strong enough.

Eventually her caresses moved upward, as did her lips, and she sought his mouth in a searing kiss that made Kyle's blood boil. His body sprang instantly, painfully, to life.

And he pushed her away.

"It's okay, Kyle," she said in a voice he didn't even recognize. "I'm not going to stop you this time."